Teologická reflexe (Theological Reflection) is a peer-reviewed journal for theology that has been published continuously since 1995 (archive of the issues from 1995–2023). It publishes the results of original research in the fields of biblical studies, systematic, historical, practical and ecumenical theology, theological ethics and church history, as well as philosophy, religious studies, social work and other disciplines where they have an overlap with theology.
The journal focuses on the reflection and interpretation of biblical and Christian tradition, the experience of Christian faith, the processes of its communication and faith-motivated action in present and past social contexts. In addition to original research studies, it also publishes scholarly review articles and book reviews.
It is published twice a year in print and online (open access). It accepts articles in Czech, Slovak, English or German.
TEOLOGICKÁ REFLEXE, Vol 31 No 1 (2025), 3–16
Křesťanské společenství jako prostor setkání se zranitelnými
[Christian Community as a Space of Encounter with the Vulnerable]
Ralph Kunz
DOI: https://doi.org/10.14712/27880796.2025.1
published online: 02. 06. 2025
abstract
This essay explores the Christian community as a space of transformative encounter with human vulnerability, from which pastoral care emerges. The starting point of the analysis is Grunewald’s Isenheim altarpiece, understood as a symbolic representation of God’s solidarity with the suffering in Christ. The article argues that the Christian community is not merely a doctrinal construct but an embodied practice rooted in memory, ritual, and care. It revisits sociological concepts of community, particularly through Ferdinand Tonnies and Jean-Luc Nancy, to critique idealized or totalizing visions of unity, and instead proposes a fragile, open, and spiritually dynamic form of being-with. The task of Christian communities is to embrace their fragmentary and unfinished nature and to become mediators of care, reconciliation, and hopeful encounter in a fragmented world.
keywords: Christian community; encounter; vulnerability; pastoral care; Isenheim altarpiece; Ferdinand Tönnies; Jean-Luc Nancy
Křesťanské společenství jako prostor setkání se zranitelnými is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
148 x 210 mm
periodicity: 2 x per year
print price: 79 czk
ISSN: 1211-1872
E-ISSN: 2788-0796
